KRAS inhibitor daraxonrasib shows early promise for pancreatic and appendix cancers

Researchers report that the orally bioavailable pan‑RAS inhibitor daraxonrasib demonstrates anti‑tumor activity against multiple KRAS mutations in early studies. In pancreatic cancer, where KRAS mutations are nearly universal, daraxonrasib showed reasonable tumor responses with manageable side effects, suggesting a new therapeutic avenue beyond the limited G12C‑specific inhibitors.

A separate study of 15 patients with advanced appendix cancer at MD Anderson Cancer Center found that various KRAS‑targeted therapies, including daraxonrasib and the G12D‑selective inhibitor MRTX1133, produced rapid reductions in serum tumor markers—over an 80% decline in many cases—and clinical benefit across different tumor grades and KRAS variants. “Appendiceal cancer has long lacked effective systemic treatment options, and patients urgently need new approaches,” said lead investigator John Paul Shen. The research also identified potential resistance pathways, hinting that combination strategies with immunotherapy or anti‑angiogenic agents may improve outcomes. Both studies call for larger prospective trials to confirm efficacy.